Partisan meddling in corruption cases must stop

We appreciate the High Court's criticism of the government's attempt to get a corruption case withdrawn in Sylhet, terming it a "naked interference" into the affairs of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The strength of any democracy depends on its four pillars keeping each other in check to maintain a fine balance. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, we have seen the overreach of the executive branch of the government often go unchecked. Therefore, we applaud the HC's decision to call out the government for going beyond its mandate to interfere into the matters of an independent body such as the ACC, particularly on this occasion as it concerns corruption within the government itself.

The corruption case in question was filed against the chairman of Borodal Uttar union in Tahirpur upazila and two others on April 5, 2007, in connection with embezzling 17 bundles of corrugated iron sheets meant for government relief to the poor. The shameful act of pilfering from the poor and the needy has become a common phenomenon, particularly because government officials and others who are behind such corrupt practices are often allowed to get away with them.

On February 11, 2011, the home ministry recommended that the case be withdrawn. Moreover, the government has recommended the withdrawal of over 7,000 criminal cases filed before the Awami League assumed power. The fact that the government has suggested the withdrawal of so many thousands of cases is a glaring example of how the ACC is being hamstrung from fulfilling its duty of investigating corruption and prosecuting the corrupt due to lobbying and outside interreference.

Under such circumstances, it would be an absurd proposition to expect the ACC to successfully battle corruption. The government must allow the ACC to function independently and without constantly looking over its shoulder for government approval or dreading disapproval when it comes to investigating cases.